At the turn of the 20th century the language of diplomacy was partly
French; the term 'Entente Cordiale' had already been used to describe the
relationship between Britain and the United States.

History. Despite centuries of history alternating between war and
peace Britain and France's imperial expansion continued during the 19th
century with few clashes until July 1898 when the French sought to
increase their influence in the Egyptian territory of Sudan as part of
their expansion from West Africa. At the same time the British were
expanding southwards from Egypt. Troops from both countries arrived at
Fashoda and Kitchener and Marchand agreed that the Egyptian, British &
Frech flags should all be flown from the fort.

The French Foreign Minister, Declasse, proposed co-existence between the
French and British Empires and the ensuing Entente Cordiale gave France
influence over Morocco and the west, and Britain over Egypt and the east.
The Anglo-French accord was signed in London on 8 April 1904, and it
virtually ended colonial rivalry.

The Stamps
This is a joint issue with the French Post Office, La Poste, with designs
common to both countries, featuring contemporary British and French
paintings.
The 28p and 0,75euro stamps feature 'Lace 1 (trial proof) 1968' by
Sir Terry Frost, while the 57p and 0,50 euro stamps show
'Coccinelle' by Sonia Delaunay.

Sir Terry Frost (1915-2003) was one of Britain's most
distinguished and passionate abstract artists. Born in Leamington Spa he
was a prisoner of war in 1941 and later studied art in Birmingham. His
career spanned six decades, much of it spent living and working in south
west Cornwall. Sadly he died before knowing his work was to appear on a
stamp.

Sonia Delaunay (1855-1979) was born in Ukraine as Sarah Stern
(nicknamed Sonia). She studied art in Karlsruhe and Paris in 1905 and
married French painter Robert Delaunay. She was the first living female
artist to have a retrospective exhibition at the Louvre in 1964 and in
1975 was named an officer of the French Legion of Honor.

Technical details:
The stamps are printed by Walsall Security Print in gravure, perf 14x14½,
in sheets of 25 and 50.
The images are from Royal Mail's Stamp Preview, Postmark
Bulletin, and Philatelic Bulletin, and are Copyright 2004 by
Royal Mail.

Norvic Exclusive First Day Covers

We have produced covers with both British and French stamps, postmarked
Paris & London (L9013 or L9039) or with Paris & Filton Concorde
(M9018) postmarks. Price £8.95 each
This is a digital mock-up - the size of the postmarks may not be as shown.
See links below for other versions
Click here for Concorde
postmarked cover or here
for Big Ben & Eiffel Tower postmarked cover. Use the 'BACK' button on
your browser to return to this page.

Set of two British stamps mint - £1.15 (Sorry - we have no more
mint French stamps)

All prices exclude postage & packing. To order, or for any questions
please e-mail
us.

These postmarks were available for the date of issue and all
should be available on first day covers. However some will be more
plentiful than others, and some may only be available on specific
'official covers', with a very few on PO fdcs in collections. It may be
many years before these appear on the resale market.